Converging tool terminology

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for automatically generating a display to present different terms. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to identify a first and a second user using applications in a software as a service (SaaS) environment and store, for the first and the second user, a first term associated with the first user and a second term associated with the second user in the SaaS environment. Responsive to identifying the first term associated with the first user and the second term associated with the second user have functionally equivalent definitions, embodiments of the present invention can replace the second term associated with the second user with the first term associated with the first user and generate a display for the first term associated with the first user that replaced the second term associated with the second user.

BACKGROUND

This present invention relates generally to the field of Software as aService (SaaS), and more particularly, to utilization of toolterminology in SaaS environments.

Generally speaking, SaaS is a software licensing and delivery model.Software is typically licensed on a subscription basis and is centrallyhosted. For example, SaaS can be accessed by users using a client via aweb browser. Examples of applications provided in the SaaS environmentinclude office and messaging software, payroll processing software,management software, development software, etc.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer programproducts, and systems for automatically generating a display to presentdifferent terms. In one embodiment of the present invention, acomputer-implemented method is provided comprising: identifying a firstand a second user using applications in a software as a service (SaaS)environment; storing, for the first and the second user, a first termassociated with the first user and a second term associated with thesecond user in the SaaS environment; responsive to identifying the firstterm associated with the first user and the second term associated withthe second user have functionally equivalent definitions, replacing thesecond term associated with the second user with the first termassociated with the first user; and generating a display for the firstterm associated with the first user that replaced the second termassociated with the second user, wherein the display includes a pop-upinterface that comprises at least one of the following: one or moredefinitions for the second term associated with the second user that wasreplaced, or the second term associated with the second user that wasreplaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computing environment, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps updating a variableterm database, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps for generating adisplay for a text place holder, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of thecomputer systems of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that during a SaaSinstallation, multiple customer sets from different companies and/orcountries may use the same application on a single server install.Generally, each of these customers may use different terms for the sameinstances of data. For example, one customer may use a term “CNUM”.Conversely, another customer can use “Serial Number” while anothercustomer can use “Employee Id”. Embodiments of the present inventionprovide solutions for automatically generating a display to presentdifferent terms based, at least in part, on customer data. In thismanner, as discussed in greater detail later in this specification,embodiments of the present invention can be used to optimize toolterminology.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Cloud computingnodes 10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 tooffer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which acloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that cloud computingnodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with anytype of computerized device over any type of network and/or networkaddressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and enterprise application 96. Some exampleembodiments of the present invention will be described in the followingparagraphs.

FIG. 3 is a functional block computing environment 300, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Computing environment 300includes client computer system 302, server computer system 308, andvariable term database 314. Client computer system 302 and servercomputer system 308 can be desktop computers, laptop computers,specialized computer servers, or any other computer systems known in theart. In certain embodiments, client computer system 302 and servercomputer system 308 represent computer systems utilizing clusteredcomputers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resourceswhen accessed through network 306. For example, such embodiments may beused in data center, cloud computing, storage area network (SAN), andnetwork attached storage (NAS) applications. In certain embodiments,client computer system 302 and server computer system 308 representvirtual machines. In general, client computer system 302 and servercomputer system 308 are representative of any electronic devices, orcombination of electronic devices, capable of executing machine-readableprogram instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to FIG.6.

Client computer system 302 includes interface 304 and communicates withserver computer system 308 to access application 310. Interface 304enables client computer system 302 to access application 310 and can beimplemented, for example, using a browser and web service that canaccess application 310.

Server computer system 308 includes application 310 and provides aservice to client computer system 302. For example, application 310communicates with client computer system 302 via network 306 (e.g.,using TCP/IP) and one or more messaging services (not shown) to access,send, receive, and organize electronic messages. Examples of types ofservices that application 310 can provide include an office andmessaging service, payroll processing service, development software,management information systems service, antivirus service, etc.

Variable term processing program 312 analyzes user inputs to build,update, and/or maintain a variable term database. A “variable term” asused herein, refers to one or more terms that are presented in a similarbut different manner to different sets of users such as differentcompanies, countries, and/or multiple customer sets. For example,different companies may use different terminology for “serial number”.Company A could use the term “CNUM”. Company B could use “Serial Number”while Company C could use “IdNum”. Each variable term can be definableby each customer, replaced in locations in a web and/or desktopapplication, and transparent to end users. A “variable term database” asused herein, refers to a collection of terms that may be usedinterchangeably in a presentation layer (i.e., a user-interface that maybe presented to an end-user).

In this embodiment, variable term processing program 312 can utilizenatural language processing technology (e.g., sentence splitting,tokenization, POS tagging, chunking, dependency parsing, and anaphoraresolution, etc.) to identify variable terms that may be used by a user.In other embodiments, variable term processing program 312 can receiveone or more terms defined by an application development team. Responsiveto user inputs, variable term processing program 312 parses the userinputs to identify variable terms, verify that the user's variable termshave not changed, and, replace identified variable terms to optimizecommunications between different companies and/or users, as discussed ingreater detail with regard to FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, variable termprocessing program 312 has replaced, at the presentation layer, variableterms of Company A for Company B. Company A uses the term “CNUM” forserial number while Company B uses the term “EmployeeID” for the sameterm. Variable term processing program 312 can replace Company B's termof “EmployeeID” with company A's term of “CNUM”. Locations whereidentified variable terms may be replaced include: text that shows on aweb interface; text that shows on desktop interfaces; terms that show inhelp files; terms that are used in import/exports; etc.

In this embodiment, responsive to a user selection, variable termprocessing program 312 can generate a visual display that includes oneor more alternative terms and one or more links to resources that mightbe helpful to a user. A “user selection” as used herein, refers to anyinteraction a user can make with a display-based interface. In thisembodiment a user selection can be hovering a mouse over text (e.g., avariable term). In other embodiments, where a touch screen is used, auser selection may be made via pressure sensitive touch.

In this embodiment, the visual display may be a pop-up dialog boxcomprising one or more alternative terms. In other embodiments, thedialog box can display definitions, industry standard terms, terms usedby other organizations, etc. In some embodiments, where application 310is a web application, the visual display can be presented as part of aweb interface. Where application 310 is a desktop application, thevisual display can be presented as part of a desktop interface.Continuing the above example, variable term processing program 312 cangenerate a visual display for Company B. For the variable term “CNUM”,variable term processing program 312 replaces the text with “EmployeeID”and, optionally, can display a dialog box comprising the term thatCompany A uses, that is, the generated dialog box can include “TheirTerm: CNUM”. Accordingly, a user associated with Company B canunderstand Company A's terminology (i.e., that “EmployeeID” and “CNUM”mean the same thing) which can help optimize communications betweenCompany B and Company A.

Variable term processing program 312 can further generate a customizedhelp file for users based, at least in part, on the identified variableterms. Continuing the above example, variable term processing program312 can generate a help field to identify that the display name for“Identification” has two variable terms (e.g., Employee ID and CNUM) andinclude each respective company's definition for the variable terms. Inthis embodiment, variable term processing program 312 can generate alink to a customized help file in the generated visual display.

Variable term database 314 is a database that stores one or more termsused in application 310. Variable term database 314 can be implementedusing any non-volatile storage media known in the art. For example,variable term database 314 can be implemented with a tape library,optical library, one or more independent hard disk drives, or multiplehard disk drives in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID).

Network 306 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, andinclude wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network306 can be any combination of connections and protocols that willsupport communications between client computer system 302, servercomputer system 308, and variable term database 314, in accordance witha desired embodiment of the invention.

For illustrative purposes, FIG. 3 shows interface 304, application 310,and variable term database 314 as being on separate computer systems.However, it should be understood that each element (e.g., interface 304,application 310, and variable term database 314) may be on the samecomputer system or any number of combinations on multiple computersystems. For example, in other embodiments, variable term database 314may reside on server computer system 308 with application 310.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 illustrating operational steps updating avariable term database, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In step 402, variable term processing program 312 identifies customersusing application 310. In this embodiment, variable term processingprogram 312 identifies customers using application 11 responsive toreceiving a query from interface 304. In other embodiments, variableterm processing program 312 identifies customers using application 310by receiving a query from one or more other components of computingenvironment 300.

In step 404, variable term processing program 312 compiles a variableterm database for the identified customers. In this embodiment, variableterm processing program 312 builds a variable term database bydetermining whether customer mapping exists. A customer mapping as usedherein, refers to a mapping of potential variables and and/or termsutilized by a user. Responsive to determining that customer mappingexists, variable term processing program 312 iterates the existingcustomer mapping in variable term database 314. In other words,responsive to determining that customer mapping exists, variable textprocessing program copies the existing customer mapping into variableterm database 314. An example table of program variables (e.g.,application 310 variables) is reproduced below:

TABLE 1 Program Variables Company A Mapping CNUM Employee ID ResourceEmployee Name Division Region

Responsive to determining that customer mapping does not exist, variableterm processing program 312 can develop customer mapping. For example,an instance where no mapping exists can include a scenario where it isthe first time a user uses a SaaS offering. Another instance where nomapping exists can include a scenario where it is the first time useralpha of Company A interacts with user beta of Company B. Otherinstances can include scenarios where a customer mapping needs to bedeveloped for text within a field edited or otherwise manipulated (e.g.,a word or words contained within text of a page).

In this embodiment, variable term processing program 312 can buildcustomer mapping either manually or automatically. For example, variableterm processing program 312 can manually add customer mapping bytransmitting a form with variables to interface 304. A user can thencomplete the form to indicate various customer mappings. Responsive toreceiving input (e.g., a completed form) from interface 304, variableterm processing program 312 can store the input in variable termdatabase 314.

Variable term processing program 312 can automatically add customermapping by connecting to a client's existing network (e.g., via API,remote login, etc.) to analyze existing applications (e.g., application310). In this embodiment, variable term processing program 312 analyzesexisting applications by submitting a query to customer applications(e.g., application 310) to provide a list of displayed field names.

Variable term processing program 312 can then compare field names fromexisting applications against the new application that variable termprocessing program 312 is currently connected to using natural languageprocessing. For example, variable term processing program 312 cancompare field names from existing applications against the newapplication to identify the field or fields in the existing applicationsthat have the greatest similarity to the new application field names.Accordingly, variable term processing program 312 can pre-populate adescription field with definitions obtained from the user's network. Insome embodiments, variable term processing program 312 can provide theuser with an opportunity to review and correct variable mapping anddefinitions.

In step 406, variable term processing program 312 stores the generatedcustomer mapping in variable term database 314. In this embodiment,variable term processing program 312 stores the generated customermapping in variable term database 314 by transmitting the generatedcustomer mapping via network 306 to variable term database 314.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 illustrating operational steps for generatinga display for a text place holder, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. For example, the operational steps of flowchart500 can be performed after the operational steps of flowchart 400. Forillustrative purposes, the following discussion is made with respect tovariable term processing program 312 replacing variable terms for anapplication that has an associated customer mapping that has notchanged. However, it should be understood that variable term processingprogram 312 can replace variable terms for an application that has anassociated customer mapping that has changed.

In step 502, responsive to a user accessing an application (e.g.,application 310), variable term processing program 312 determineswhether variable term database 314 has changed. In this embodiment,variable term processing program 312 determines whether variable termdatabase 314 has changed by querying the variable term database (e.g.,variable term database 314). In other embodiments, variable termprocessing program 312 can determine whether variable term database 314has changed by comparing a “last saved” version of variable termdatabase 314 to the copy currently accessed by variable term processingprogram 312. In instances where variable term database 314 has changedsince the original customer mapping was built, variable term processingprogram 312 can update and save the new customer mapping in variableterm database 314.

In step 504, variable term processing program 312 replaces variableterms with terms from variable term database 314. In this embodiment,variable term processing program 312 replaces variable terms with termsfrom variable term database 314 by parsing through application 310,identifying variable terms that have a degree of similarity to termsfound in variable term database 314, and replacing the identifiedvariable terms with terms in variable term database 314. For example,variable term processing program 312 can identify at the presentationlayer (i.e., display layer), terms that have been identified as possiblevariable terms between Company A for Company B. In this example,variable term processing program 312 has identified that Company A usesthe term “CNUM” for serial number while Company B uses the term“EmployeeID” for the same term. Accordingly, each time a visual displayis presented to Company B, variable term processing program 312 canreplace Company B's identified variable term of “EmployeeID” withcompany A's identified variable term of “CNUM”.

In another example, variable term processing program 312 can generate avisual display presented to Company B that displays Company A's term,responsive to a user selection. For example, each time a user associatedwith Company B selects “CNUM” (a variable term associated with companyA), variable term processing program 312 can generate a visual displaycomprising Company B's term (e.g., EmployeeID) along with relevantdefinitions and/or links to help files associated with the variableterm.

In yet another example, where Company B accesses application 310,variable term processing program 312 can replace the default terms ofapplication 310 with Company B's terms. For example, a default term ofapplication 310 can be “manager” while Company B uses the term“supervisor”. When displaying forms to Company B, variable termprocessing program 312 can replace the default term of “manager” to“supervisor”.

In step 506, variable term processing program 312 generates a displayfor the replaced variable terms. In this embodiment, a display can be apop-up dialog box comprising one or more alternative terms that displaysresponsive to a user selection. For example, in an embodiment where auser uses a monitor and a mouse, a user selection can be hovering themouse position over the variable term. In an embodiment where a touchscreen is used, a user selection can be selecting the variable term viaa touch screen interface. In this embodiment, variable term processingprogram 312 generates a display for the replaced variable terms byaccessing variable term database 314, identifying variable terms, andlinking the variable terms.

For example, variable term processing program 312 can access variableterm database 314, identify that for an “employee position” that“Manager”, a term associated with Company B and “Supervisor”, a termassociated with Company A are variable terms based on similarity and/ordefinitions provided by respective users, and link “Manager” and“Supervisor”. Responsive to a user associated with Company B selectingthe variable term “Supervisor”, variable term processing program 312 candisplay a dialog box comprising the term that Company B uses, that is,the generated dialog box can include their term: “Manager”. Accordingly,a user associated with Company B can understand Company A's terminology(i.e., that “Supervisor” and “Manager” mean the same thing) which canhelp optimize communications between Company B and Company A.

In step 508, variable term processing program 312 optionally generates ahelp file based, at least in part, on the replaced variable terms. Inthis embodiment, variable term processing program 312 generates a helpfile based, at least in part, on the replaced variable terms by parsingthrough application 310 to identify replaced variable terms andrespective definitions and/or explanations for each of the replacedvariable terms. Accordingly, variable term processing program 312compiles the respective definitions for each of the replaced variableterms into a single medium for the user. For example, the medium can bea text-based file.

In step 510, variable term processing program 312 provides the user anopportunity to edit the display for the replaced variable terms. In thisembodiment, variable term processing program 312 provides the user anopportunity to edit the display for the replaced variable terms bytransmitting a notification to the user. In this embodiment thenotification can include a list of variable terms that variable termprocessing program 312 replaced along with associated definitions and/orexplanations.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of acomputer system 600, which is representative the computer systems ofFIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that FIG. 6 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Ingeneral, the components illustrated in FIG. 6 are representative of anyelectronic device capable of executing machine-readable programinstructions. Examples of computer systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be represented by the components illustrated inFIG. 6 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems,server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, laptop computersystems, tablet computer systems, cellular telephones (e.g., smartphones), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, networkPCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributedcloud computing environments that include any of the above systems ordevices.

Computer system 600 includes communications fabric 602, which providesfor communications between one or more processors 604, memory 606,persistent storage 608, communications unit 612, and one or moreinput/output (I/O) interfaces 614. Communications fabric 602 can beimplemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/orcontrol information between processors (such as microprocessors,communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheraldevices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example,communications fabric 602 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 606 and persistent storage 608 are computer-readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 606 includes random access memory(RAM) 616 and cache memory 618. In general, memory 606 can include anysuitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.Software is stored in persistent storage 608 for execution and/or accessby one or more of the respective processors 604 via one or more memoriesof memory 606.

Persistent storage 608 may include, for example, a plurality of magnetichard disk drives. Alternatively, or in addition to magnetic hard diskdrives, persistent storage 608 can include one or more solid state harddrives, semiconductor storage devices, read-only memories (ROM),erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM), flash memories, or anyother computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 608 can also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive can be used for persistent storage 608.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage608.

Communications unit 612 provides for communications with other computersystems or devices via a network (e.g., network 306). In this exemplaryembodiment, communications unit 612 includes network adapters orinterfaces such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fi interfacecards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wirelesscommunication links. The network can comprise, for example, copperwires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. Software and data usedto practice embodiments of the present invention can be downloaded toclient computer system 302 through communications unit 612 (e.g., viathe Internet, a local area network or other wide area network). Fromcommunications unit 612, the software and data can be loaded ontopersistent storage 608.

One or more I/O interfaces 614 allow for input and output of data withother devices that may be connected to computer system 600. For example,I/O interface 614 can provide a connection to one or more externaldevices 620 such as a keyboard, computer mouse, touch screen, virtualkeyboard, touch pad, pointing device, or other human interface devices.External devices 620 can also include portable computer-readable storagemedia such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magneticdisks, and memory cards. I/O interface 614 also connects to display 622.

Display 622 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and can be,for example, a computer monitor. Display 622 can also be an incorporateddisplay and may function as a touch screen, such as a built-in displayof a tablet computer.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles ofthe embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:identifying a first and a second user using applications in a softwareas a service (SaaS) environment; responsive to identifying a firstvariable term associated with the first user and a second variable termassociated with the second user have functionally equivalent definitionsusing a compiled customer mapping, replacing the second variable termassociated with the second user with the first variable term associatedwith the first user; receiving one or more user inputs from the seconduser that accessed a first application of the applications in the SaaSenvironment that the first user has also accessed, wherein the one ormore terms not included in the variable term database; responsive toreceiving the one or more user inputs, parsing the one or more userinputs to identify variable terms from the one or more user inputs,verifying that the identified variable terms have functionallyequivalent definitions to variable terms included in the variable termdatabase, and replacing the identified variable terms to optimizecommunications between the first and the second user; and generating afirst display for the first variable term associated with the first userthat replaced the second variable term associated with the second user,wherein the first display includes a pop-up interface that comprises thesecond variable term associated with the second user that was replacedand one or more definitions for the second variable term associated withthe second user that was replaced.
 2. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising: generating a help file based, at least inpart, on the first term associated with the first user that replaced thesecond term associated with the second user.
 3. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising: providing an opportunity to editthe display for the first term associated with the first user thatreplaced the second term associated with the second user.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: responsiveto the second user accessing an application in the SaaS environment,determining whether the first term associated with the first user andthe second term associated with the second user have changed; andresponsive to determining that the first term associated with the firstuser and the second term associated with the second user have changed,updating the first term associated with the first user and the secondterm associated with the second user.
 5. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising: responsive to identifying a third termassociated with the first user and a fourth term associated with thesecond user have functionally equivalent definitions, generating adisplay for the third term associated with the first user, wherein thedisplay includes a pop-up interface that comprises at least one of thefollowing: the fourth term associated with the second user that has afunctionally equivalent definition to the third term associated with thefirst user and definitions associated with the fourth term associatedwith the second user.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: storing, for the first and the second user,associated terms associated with each of the first and the second userwherein storing, for the first and the second user, associated termsassociated with each of the first and the second user comprises:responsive to receiving the first term associated with the first userand the second term associated with the second user, compiling arespective customer mapping of the first term associated with the firstuser and the second term associated with the second user.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein storing, for the firstand the second user, associated terms associated with each of the firstand the second user comprises: submitting a query to the applications inthe SaaS environment for the first term associated with the first userand the second term associated with the second user; responsive toreceiving the first term associated with the first user and the secondterm associated with the second user from the applications in the SaaSenvironment, using natural language processing to analyze the first termassociated with the first user and the second term associated with thesecond user; and compiling a respective customer mapping of the firstterm associated with the first user and the second term associated withthe second user.
 8. A computer program product comprising: one or morecomputer readable storage media and program instructions stored on theone or more computer readable storage media, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to identify a first and a second userusing applications in a software as a service (SaaS) environment;program instructions to, responsive to identifying a first variable termassociated with the first user and a second variable term associatedwith the second user have functionally equivalent definitions using acompiled customer mapping, replace the second variable term associatedwith the second user with the first variable term associated with thefirst user; program instructions to receive one or more user inputs fromthe second user that accessed a first application of the applications inthe SaaS environment that the first user has also accessed, wherein theone or more terms not included in the variable term database; programinstructions to, responsive to receiving the one or more user inputs,parsing the one or more user inputs to identify variable terms from theone or more user inputs, verify that the identified variable terms havefunctionally equivalent definitions to variable terms included in thevariable term database, and replace the identified variable terms tooptimize communications between the first and the second user; andprogram instructions to generate a first display for the first variableterm associated with the first user that replaced the second variableterm associated with the second user, wherein the first display includesa pop-up interface that comprises the second variable term associatedwith the second user that was replaced and one or more definitions forthe second variable term associated with the second user that wasreplaced.
 9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein theprogram instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storagemedia further comprise: program instructions to generate a help filebased, at least in part, on the first term associated with the firstuser that replaced the second term associated with the second user. 10.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the programinstructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage mediafurther comprise: program instructions to provide an opportunity to editthe display for the first term associated with the first user thatreplaced the second term associated with the second user.
 11. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, wherein the program instructionsstored on the one or more computer readable storage media furthercomprise: program instructions to, responsive to the second useraccessing an application in the SaaS environment, determine whether thefirst term associated with the first user and the second term associatedwith the second user have changed; and program instructions to,responsive to determining that the first term associated with the firstuser and the second term associated with the second user have changed,update the first term associated with the first user and the second termassociated with the second user.
 12. The computer program product ofclaim 8, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media further comprise: program instructions,to responsive to identifying a third term associated with the first userand a fourth term associated with the second user have functionallyequivalent definitions, generate a display for the third term associatedwith the first user, wherein the display includes a pop-up interfacethat comprises at least one of the following: the fourth term associatedwith the second user that has a functionally equivalent definition tothe third term associated with the first user and definitions associatedwith the fourth term associated with the second user.
 13. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the program instructions stored onthe one or more computer readable storage media further comprise;program instructions to store, for the first and the second user,associated terms associated with each of the first and the second user,wherein the program instructions to store, for the first and the seconduser, associated terms associated with each of the first and the seconduser comprise: program instructions to, responsive to receiving thefirst term associated with the first user and the second term associatedwith the second user, compile a respective customer mapping of the firstterm associated with the first user and the second term associated withthe second user.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, whereinthe program instructions to store, for the first and the second user,associated terms associated with each of the first and the second usercomprise: program instructions to submit a query to applications in theSaaS environment for the first term associated with the first user andthe second term associated with the second user; program instructionsto, responsive to receiving the first term associated with the firstuser and the second term associated with the second user from theapplications in the SaaS environment, use natural language processing toanalyze the first term associated with the first user and the secondterm associated with the second user; and program instructions tocompile a respective customer mapping of the first term associated withthe first user and the second term associated with the second user. 15.A computer program product comprising: one or more computer processors;one or more computer readable storage media; and program instructionsstored on the one or more computer readable storage media for executionby at least one of the one or more computer processors, the programinstructions comprising: program instructions to identify a first and asecond user using applications in a software as a service (SaaS)environment; program instructions to, responsive to identifying a firstvariable term associated with the first user and a second variable termassociated with the second user have functionally equivalent definitionsusing a compiled customer mapping, replace the second variable termassociated with the second user with the first variable term associatedwith the first user; program instructions to receive one or more userinputs from the second user that accessed a first application of theapplications in the SaaS environment that the first user has alsoaccessed, wherein the one or more terms not included in the variableterm database; program instructions to, responsive to receiving the oneor more user inputs, parsing the one or more user inputs to identifyvariable terms from the one or more user inputs, verify that theidentified variable terms have functionally equivalent definitions tovariable terms included in the variable term database, and replace theidentified variable terms to optimize communications between the firstand the second user; and program instructions to generate a firstdisplay for the first variable term associated with the first user thatreplaced the second variable term associated with the second user,wherein the first display includes a pop-up interface that comprises thesecond variable term associated with the second user that was replacedand one or more definitions for the second variable term associated withthe second user that was replaced.
 16. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media further comprise: program instructionsto generate a help file based, at least in part, on the first termassociated with the first user that replaced the second term associatedwith the second user.
 17. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computerreadable storage media further comprise: program instructions to providean opportunity to edit the display for the first term associated withthe first user that replaced the second term associated with the seconduser.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the programinstructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage mediafurther comprise: program instructions to, responsive to the second useraccessing an application in the SaaS environment, determine whether thefirst term associated with the first user and the second term associatedwith the second user have changed; and program instructions to,responsive to determining that the first term associated with the firstuser and the second term associated with the second user have changed,update the first term associated with the first user and the second termassociated with the second user.
 19. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media further comprise: program instructions,to responsive to identifying a third term associated with the first userand a fourth term associated with the second user have functionallyequivalent definitions, generate a display for the third term associatedwith the first user, wherein the display includes a pop-up interfacethat comprises at least one of the following: the fourth term associatedwith the second user that has a functionally equivalent definition tothe third term associated with the first user and definitions associatedwith the fourth term associated with the second user.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the program instructions stored onthe one or more computer readable storage media further comprise;program instructions to store, for the first and the second user,associated terms associated with each of the first and the second user,wherein the program instructions to store, for the first and the seconduser, associated terms associated with each of the first and the seconduser comprise: program instructions to, responsive to receiving thefirst term associated with the first user and the second term associatedwith the second user, compile a respective customer mapping of the firstterm associated with the first user and the second term associated withthe second user.